{"id":13651,"date":"2024-11-18T01:46:51","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T01:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hatfieldroadmethodist.org\/?p=13651"},"modified":"2024-12-17T20:04:10","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T20:04:10","slug":"day-18-matthew-2-verses-7-10-in-the-silence-of-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hatfieldroadmethodist.org\/?p=13651","title":{"rendered":"Day 18 – Matthew 2 verses 7 – 10 (In the silence of night)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Bible Reading Matthew 2 verses 7 – 10<\/h3>\n

7\u00a0<\/sup>Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.<\/span> 8\u00a0<\/sup>He sent them to Bethlehem and said, \u201cGo and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

9\u00a0<\/sup>After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.<\/span> 10\u00a0<\/sup>When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening Prayer<\/h2>\n

As we follow the Advent star we pray that you will keep our feet firmly on the path. Help us avoid the distractions of the season to keep our eyes focused on you. May we too be overjoyed as we watch the star guiding our way. Amen<\/p>\n

Reflection<\/h2>\n

It is interesting to note that the religious leaders were aware where Jesus would be born. They were at best not very helpful to the Magi as they searched for the new born baby. Herod is positively sinister in his desire to know where Jesus has been born.<\/p>\n

Many years ago I worked in an office when we had a new manager appointed. He was very friendly and talked with everyone. Asking where they lived and other general discussion. Everyone thought he was a lovely man. It was only a little while later that we discovered that he was making a note of those who lived near enough that they would be able to walk to the office in case of bad weather! We can all be a little sneaky trying to find out things we don’ really need to know or which put us at an advantage.<\/p>\n

However, we must resist the temptation to think the worst of everyone we meet. The majority of people we meet, are indeed lovely people who will help us on our journey. We must not judge everyone by the poor behaviour of the small minority.<\/p>\n

A time for your own reflection<\/h2>\n

Read the passage again and spend a little time thinking of how the passage speaks to you. The wonder of scripture is that there is always something new to discover and each passage speaks to us in our own need and circumstances.<\/p>\n

Only if you feel you want to – share your thoughts with someone. God inspires our thoughts and you never know, the person you share with may be waiting to hear what you have to say.<\/p>\n

Song<\/h2>\n

Here are the alternative versions of yesterday’s song –<\/p>\n

“In the silence of night”<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As I wrote yesterday I struggled to pick the version of the tune \/ style for this song. Below are a rock version where I really like the chorus. The duet version gives a nice balance to the song which I really like.<\/p>\n

Words: Chris Hancock
\nInspiration:
\nMusic: Generated on Suno.com
\nVoice: A.I.<\/p>\n

Rock<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/www.hatfieldroadmethodist.org\/wptest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/In-the-Silence-of-Night-v5.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Folk Duet<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/www.hatfieldroadmethodist.org\/wptest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/In-the-silence-of-night-v3.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

\n

[Verse 1]<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>In the silence of night, with hearts full of dreams,
\nWe followed a light, that glittered and gleamed.
\nA star in the heavens, so bright and so bold,
\nLeading the way, to a promise of old.
\n[Chorus]
\nWhen the star rose, we knew inside,
\nThat where it led, love would abide.
\nOver a child, this light would shine,
\nIn that moment, human yet divine.<\/p>\n

[Verse 2]
\nOver deserts, and mountains, we journeyed far,
\nWith the promise of peace, proclaimed by a star.
\nThe source of the world\u2019s hope, love will abound.
\nFollowing a star, to where he is found.<\/p>\n

[Chorus]
\nWhen the star rose, we knew inside,
\nThat where it led, love would abide.
\nOver a child, this light would shine,
\nIn that moment, human yet divine.
\n[Guitar Solo]
\n[Bridge]
\nWith each step taken, we draw closer to life,
\nThe light of the star, our feet will guide,
\nShadows are scattered, in the warmth of its glow,
\nFor the greatest of gifts, it has shon to show.
\n[Chorus]
\nWhen the star rose, we knew inside,
\nThat where it led, love would abide.
\nOver a child, this light would shine,
\nIn that moment, human yet divine.
\n[Outro]
\nThe star came to rest, on most holy of nights,
\nAbove a humble stable, which was lit by its\u2019 light.
\nIn the cradle he is found, by we who travelled far
\nTo find our loving Saviour, by the light of a star.<\/p>\n

Prayer<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a>Loving God, we\u2019re are not in positions of power like Herod is. However, we are sometimes tempted to be selfish. Holding onto things instead of sharing. Thinking of ourselves ahead of others. Help us to set aside these thoughts and actions, so that we can truly love our neighbours. Help us be generous in all we do.<\/p>\n

Lord help us to search carefully for you in this Advent season. Knowing that your light shines to show us the way.As we travel our Advent journey, fill us with Your love.<\/p>\n

We pray that we will see you and see others as you see them. We ask that we hear your holy word and when we do that we will have the strength and courage to answer your call. Amen.<\/p>\n

Copyrights<\/h3>\n

Reflections and Prayers<\/h3>\n

By Chris Hancock<\/p>\n

Songs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Words of the songs are by Chris Hancock
\nMusic generated on Suno.com
\nIf you are a user of the free tier of the Service then, you covenant and agree that you will only use Outputs generated from Submissions made by you through the Service solely for your lawful, internal, personal and non-commercial purposes, provided that you give attribution credit to Suno in each case.<\/p>\n

Bible Readings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Bible readings are from the New<\/a> International Version<\/a> (NIV)
\n<\/strong>Holy Bible, New International Version\u00ae, NIV\u00ae Copyright \u00a91973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.\u00ae<\/a> Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.<\/p>\n

Images<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Images where used are from pixabay.com and free for commercial use no attribution required.<\/p>\n